According to a statement released on Thursday by White House, the meeting was constructive and Obama vowed to continue working closely with the Congress in the weeks and months ahead, a news agency reported.

The scheduled meeting came after Russia granted one-year asylum to the former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, who disclosed internet and telephone surveillance programs run by the National Security Agency. Some US lawmakers have expressed outrage over Moscow's decision. In a statement, Senator John McCain called Russia's actions a deliberate effort to embarrass the US.

House Speaker John Boehner urged Obama to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue and resolve it in a way that is satisfactory to the American people. Senator Robert Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Russia's asylum decision could hurt US-Russia relations.